Monday, September 17, 2007

I gravitate toward the clothes section(s) in the thrift store first. Manly because of the exceptional possibilities of finding something bizarre. Even when a garment doesn't seem say "buy me" sometimes it says "search my pockets." Which I then oblige, because if clothing is talking to you , you've already got problems, right? So why fight it?

In most pockets I find nothing or old candy wrappers. Sometimes a handwritten grocery list or movie ticket stub to Rocky III. Someone I used to know found $300 in a pair of old blue jeans. I myself have not found more than a dime. Occasionally, however I find something worthwhile, like a Boy Scout badge or a old Cracker Jack charm.

But hands down the strangest thing I've ever found in a thrift store pocket was this:

Inside the interior pocket of a US Air Force blazer from the late 1970s, no less. Of course I've blurred the agent's name and telephone number (because I don't really want to get a visit by the FBI). But I do have the number, tucked away, just in case.